Its the 8th of November and we set out to explore Lisbon again.
Did I mention that you have to go with a map and dictionary or you will be lost? Well, we kept getting lost like zillion times but accidentally bumped into this mosque. It reminds me of the Great Mosque at Samarra in Iraq.
Did I mention that you have to go with a map and dictionary or you will be lost? Well, we kept getting lost like zillion times but accidentally bumped into this mosque. It reminds me of the Great Mosque at Samarra in Iraq.
Image by Manori Sumanasinghe (C) 2009We eventually arrived at the Nation's park, which was the 1998 Expo ground . If you ever visit Lisbon you must visit this place, especially the Oceanarium. It's just breathtaking! From the location to architecture to the beautiful creatures themselves, it is just amazing.
Oceanarium - Image by Manori Sumanasinghe (C) 2009At the entrance is a gigantic sculpture made out of recycled material (I think its crushed soda cans) in the shape of an ancient sea monster that is hanging from the ceiling.
Sea monster at the Oceanarium - Image by Manori Sumanasinghe (C) 2009Before you catch your breath, you will notice something odd about the backdrop of this sculpture. True to Portuguese architecture, the architects have used white and blue patterned tiles. Up close it seems all random.... and then you step back !! Lo-and-behold, it is a beautiful mural, a mosaic of sort, of fish !! Modern way of using a traditional art form, very clever indeed.
Up close tile detail - Image by Manori Sumanasinghe (C) 2009
Up close tile detail - Image by Manori Sumanasinghe (C) 2009
Hmm... That's odd, that looks like a sea horse - Image by Manori Sumanasinghe (C) 2009 
Step back and you see this !!! - Image by Manori Sumanasinghe (C) 2009I haven't been to all that many aquariums but this was nothing like I've ever seen before. It was truly amazing.. Giant tanks and fish of all sizes and varieties, it was mesmerizing.
Images by Manori Sumanasinghe (C) 2009The photos don't do justice to the true beauty of this experience so, I highly recommend you to swing by the Oceanarium when you are in Lisbon the next time.
And don't forget to take the cable car trip when you come out of the Oceanarium. You will love the skyline of the Nation's park and Lisbon....!!
And don't forget to take the cable car trip when you come out of the Oceanarium. You will love the skyline of the Nation's park and Lisbon....!!
Image by Manori Sumanasinghe (C) 2009While you are there, enjoy the modern Lisbon architecture...
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